INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS DISCUSS PLAN OF ACTION ON FOREST FIRES

Rome, 9 March 2001 - Coordinated action to address the issue of forest fires
in different parts of the world is the main topic being discussed at a three-day
meeting of international experts on forest fire management and control at
the Rome headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) this
week.

The experts are examining the outline of a possible international plan of
action on forest fires, taking account of environmental concerns, national
policies, laws and institutions, FAO said.

Forest fires make a major impact on forest ecosystems and have complex
environmental, social, and economic dimensions. They can have both positive
(if managed) and negative effects that extend far beyond their areas of
occurrence.

FAO, in collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organization
(ITTO) will host this week's meeting in response to requests from member
countries. An expert from IUCN/WWF will also attend the meeting.

Over the past three years, FAO has intensified its activities in the field
of forest fire management, through support to member countries in policy
level dialogue, the collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination
of information and know-how, and the development of methodologies and strategies
related to early warning, prevention, management, control and rehabilitation.

According to Mr. Hosny El Lakany , FAO's Assistant Director General (Forestry
Department), FAO plans to further strengthen its work in the field of forest
fire management in the years ahead. The Organization will continue to help
countries to enhance their national capacities and, in cooperation with partners,
improve the sharing of information and know-how among member countries, Mr.
El Lakany said.

At this week's meeting, experts from 14 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada,
Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa,
Spain, Turkey and USA) are discussing proposals for international support
and coordinated approaches to forest fire management . Elements and mechanisms
for the establishment of agreements for support between countries in cases
of emergencies are also being discussed.

A plan of action could include promotion of regional or international
fire-fighting task forces; definition of operational forest fire regions;
and the establishment of regional forest fire networks. Improvement and further
expansion of the FAO Internet site on forest fires and continued support
to inter-agency field projects on wild land fires are also part of the
discussion.

The International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management comes just prior
to the 15th Session of FAO Committee on Forestry in Rome on 12-16 March.